Second Wednesday of Advent – CTSA Televised Mass

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Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller's Crest

Advent is a season of waiting and hopeful anticipation. Today’s readings remind us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. But waiting is not always easy, especially when we are weary, burdened, or feeling forgotten. The people of Israel, in their exile, exemplified this struggle. Their forgetfulness and ingratitude blinded them to Yahweh’s steadfast love and care, even as He remained faithful and never abandoned them, despite their turning to idols.

In our journey of faith, we, too, are prone to forget. We carry burdens, face challenges, and at times cry out with Israel: “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God” (Is).

Yet, in Advent, we are assured otherwise. God does not tire of guiding, loving, and protecting us. His promise is eternal: “He does not faint nor grow weary” (Is). Jesus echoes this promise in today’s Gospel, offering a profound invitation: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” He recognizes our human condition – our thirst for meaning, our fatigue, and our need for renewal. Unlike worldly leaders or fleeting comforts, Jesus alone can offer rest that truly revives. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. As Pope Francis teaches, “The ‘yoke’ of which Christ speaks is the law of love… love one another, as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12).

The Lord’s invitation demands a response. To come to Him is to trust Him, to accept His ways even when they challenge us. His humility and gentleness call us to be open, simple, and grateful, like the “little ones” to whom God reveals His mysteries.

As leaders, we often carry heavy burdens – decisions to make, challenges to navigate, and communities to serve. Yet we are not called to bear these alone. Let us lean on Christ, allowing His strength to renew ours, and invite others to find rest in Him.

Finally, let us reflect on the idols that tempt us – self-sufficiency, ambition, or distractions – and return to the One who quenches our deepest thirst. May our hearts, renewed by prayer and the sacraments, shine with the joy of walking with Jesus. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may we bear His yoke with courage, gentleness, and thanksgiving.

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